Thunder-Mavericks Q&A: Dallas guard J.J. Barea

You've said Steve Nash is one of your favorite players. What is it you like about his game?

"The way he stays aggressive, he's always attacking, always using the pick-and-roll, never gets tired, finds the open guy, hits the mid-range (jumper), his crazy layups, hits the 3 when he's open. I've always been a fan."

JOSE BAREA: Jose Juan Barea (11) of Dallas goes past Oklahoma City's Nate Robinson (3) and James Harden (13) during game 1 of the Western Conference Finals in the NBA basketball playoffs between the Dallas Mavericks and the Oklahoma City Thunder at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Tuesday, May 17, 2011. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman BRYAN TERRY

How do like all the attention you've received lately?

"Hey, I answer a couple of questions and trying to keep it going. It's working out."

Do you sense you have more fans now?

"Oh, no question. Anytime you're playing like that and you're helping the team win, you're going to make more fans. That comes and goes, though."

Do you think you have so many fans because you're small?

"I don't look at it that way. I'm playing basketball and it's working out for us."

Does your success depend on who is guarding you? Does it matter if your defender is tall, short, strong, sleek?

"I'm still going to be aggressive and play my game, so it doesn't matter, really."

What did you think when you saw 5-foot-9 Nate Robinson out there guarding you Tuesday night?